The Word and Wax: A Medical Folk Ritual Among Ukrainians in Alberta

Edmonton-Toronto: Huculak Chair for Ukrainian Culture and Ethnography and Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies Press

1999

The Word and Wax explores the fascinating medical folk ritual of wax pouring used by some members of the Alberta Ukrainian community as a means of driving away fear and curing minor ailments. The ceremony is of the magico-religious and oral-incantational genre of folk medicine, incorporating Christian as well as non-Christian imagery. The Word and Wax is essential reading to anyone interested in the rich folkloric tradition brought to Alberta by Ukrainian immigrants to Canada.